Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 190 The Death of Zhu Yingrong

An old, worn-out aura wafted over them. The secret room was filled with all sorts of rare and precious treasures, but everyone's attention was instantly drawn to a brocade box in the center of the room.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Yingrong hurriedly stepped forward, picked up the brocade box, opened it, and found that it contained letters from Liu Shiyuan colluding with the Blood Spirit Sect.

She handed the letter to Liu Sijun and said, "This is the evidence. Now that we have the evidence, I hope you will keep your promise."

Liu Sijun carefully put away the letter and said seriously to Zhu Yingrong, "Don't worry, as long as you stop playing tricks and help us stop the Blood Spirit Cult's conspiracy, I will definitely keep my promise."

Gu Changzhou looked at everyone and said with a solemn expression, "Now that we have the evidence, the most urgent task is to stop them from holding the ceremony at the altar in the valley. We know very little about the altar, and going there rashly may lead to trouble."

After a moment of contemplation, Liu Sijun said, "I have heard some records about ancient artifacts and related rituals. Perhaps we can find a solution from them. The arrangement of the altar must follow a specific rune array. We can start from this aspect and find a way to break the pattern."

At this moment, one of the accompanying experts said, "Lord Gu, Miss Liu, we can send someone to scout around the valley first, find out their defensive arrangements and the progress of the ceremony, and then make a decision."

Gu Changzhou nodded in agreement: "This plan is feasible. Jiang Tai, select a few brothers who are agile and good at hiding, and send them to the valley immediately to investigate the situation. Be careful and cautious, and do not reveal your whereabouts."

After receiving the order, Jiang Tai quickly selected a few people and quietly left the Zhu family's old residence.

While waiting for Jiang Tai and the others to return, Liu Sijun carefully examined the tokens obtained from the treasure chest in the secret room, trying to find clues related to the altar rune array.

She noticed that the runes on the token were similar to those she had seen on the stone gate before.

After some calculations, it seems that some key flaws in the altar rune formations have been found.

Shortly after, Jiang Tai and the others returned and reported to Gu Changzhou: "Lord Gu, the valley is heavily guarded. The Blood Spirit Sect and the Zhu family have set up sentries all around. The altar has been completed, and the ceremony seems to be ready to begin at any moment. They seem to be waiting for a specific opportunity. So far, no trace of the ancient artifact has been found."

After hearing this, Gu Changzhou exchanged a glance with Liu Sijun and said, "It seems we are pressed for time. Sijun, do you have a way to break the altar's rune array?"

Liu Sijun: "Based on the rune clues on the token, I deduce that the core of the altar's rune array lies in a 'reversal of Yin and Yang' layout. We can exploit this flaw and, when the ritual is activated, use powerful spiritual energy to impact the core of the array, disrupting their ritual and preventing the ancient artifact from being awakened."

"This plan is risky, but worth a try. We still need to develop a detailed action plan to ensure we can break through their defenses and reach the altar safely."

The group sat together and began to discuss the specific action plan.

The final decision was that Gu Changzhou would lead a group of experts to draw the enemy's attention head-on, while Liu Sijun would lead another group of experts skilled in rune formations to sneak into the vicinity of the altar amidst the chaos.

After Gu Changzhou and the others disrupted the enemy's defenses, Liu Sijun and the others quickly took action, breaking the altar's rune formation and thwarting the Blood Spirit Sect and the Zhu family's conspiracy.

With everything prepared, the group quietly set off into the valley under the cover of night.

On the way to the valley, Zhu Yingrong's behavior aroused suspicion in Gu Changzhou and Liu Sijun about her true intentions.

Throughout the journey, Zhu Yingrong remained silent, following in the middle of the group. Her eyes flickered, sometimes looking at Gu Changzhou and Liu Sijun who were leading the way, and sometimes lowering her head in deep thought, making it impossible to guess what she was thinking.

Liu Sijun was worried and transmitted her voice to Gu Changzhou: "I always feel that there is something wrong with Zhu Yingrong. Will she really help us sincerely?"

After all, she was a daughter of the Zhu family and had countless connections with them.

Gu Changzhou replied, "I also have some doubts, but right now we need her familiarity with the Zhu family and any information she might have about the altar. We'll keep an eye on things secretly and act immediately if anything seems amiss."

As the group approached the valley, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Suddenly, Zhu Yingrong paused and whispered, "Wait, there should be sentries set up by the Zhu family ahead. I know their plans."

Gu Changzhou and Liu Sijun exchanged a glance, signaling everyone to stop.

Liu Sijun said, "You've been in prison for almost two years. They've been very active. Could it be that the sentries they set up before have changed?"

Zhu Yingrong said, "Since it's a hidden sentry post, it's the best position and won't be changed easily."

Liu Sijun sneered: "Is that so?"

She suppressed her doubts, exchanged a glance with Gu Changzhou, and continued to move forward in the direction Zhu Yingrong pointed out.

Just when everyone thought they had passed through smoothly, a group of Blood Spirit Cult members suddenly surged out from the front and surrounded them.

The leader of the cultists sneered, "Gu Changzhou, Liu Sijun, you've really taken the bait. Zhu Yingrong, well done!"

Liu Sijun turned to look at Zhu Yingrong, only to see a smug smile on her face: "You've wronged me so much, and you still think I'd genuinely help you? I just want to use you to lure out the experts of the Blood Spirit Sect so that I can regain their trust. As long as I offer up your heads, the Blood Spirit Sect will definitely spare my life and even elevate the Zhu family to a higher level."

Gu Changzhou's expression was cold: "Zhu Yingrong, do you think you can succeed like this? You're too naive."

Having said that, he quickly drew his sword and slashed it upwards.

Before the Blood Spirit Cult could react, they set up the Demon-Slaying Formation with the help of other experts.

Zhu Yingrong's expression changed drastically: "You, you were prepared all along. Impossible, I'm sure I didn't give anything away the whole way!"

"That's what you think."

Liu Sijun scoffed coldly: "Don't be so clever."

When the Demon-Slaying Formation was activated, even though the Blood Spirit Cult members were numerous and fearless, the righteous spiritual energy within the formation cleansed their evil aura, causing them excruciating pain as if burned by flames.

The leader of the Blood Spirit cultists glared fiercely at Zhu Yingrong: "You bitch, are you trying to fool me with a charade with those two?"

Zhu Yingrong shook her head repeatedly: "How could that be? I was harmed by Liu Sijun, so how could I cooperate with her? You must believe me. There are so many of us, we can definitely kill them."

"Zhu Yingrong, I was going to let you go because you gave me clues about my mother, but you've brought this upon yourself."

Liu Sijun flew to Zhu Yingrong's side.

Suddenly, a long sword appeared in his hand, and without hesitation, he slashed her neck.

Blood splattered everywhere. Zhu Yingrong covered her neck with her left hand, her eyes wide open, her right hand outstretched, her mouth slightly open, as if pleading for help from someone.

Liu Sijun breathed a long sigh of relief.

I avenged you.

May you rest in peace!